LAPO empowers 108,367 rural farmers

The management of Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO) has spent the sum of N5.7billion to empower a total of 108,367 rural farmers across 19 states in the country during the outgone year 2017.

Speaking at the annual media forum of the Non-Governmental Organisation in Benin-City, Executive director LAPO, Sabina Idowu-Osehobo, said the farmers were empowered under LAPO Agricultural and Rural Development t Initiative (LARDI).

Osehobo, said as part of efforts to boost farming operations in the period under review pointed out that the farmers were provided with high yield inputs and extension services.

Osehobo, while explaining that LARDI established in 2007 was geared towards promoting rural economy through agricultural development, improving income, food security and general living conditions of poor rural households, particularly women-headed households and youths, said the beneficiaries were into cassava, cocoa, animal husbandry, fishery among others. She added also that in 2016, a total of 76,000 farmers were empowered with the sum of N3,459,545 billion through LARDI.

Osehobo said LARDI is deeply committed to its mandate of developing the rural economy with innovative and affordable agricultural financing and support services. It currently maintains 120 branches in 19 states.